NUMB3RS is a drama about an FBI agent who recruits his mathematical-genius brother to help the Bureau solve a wide range of challenging crimes in Los Angeles. The two brothers take on the most confounding criminal cases from a very distinctive perspective. Inspired by actual cases, the series depicts how the confluence of police work and mathematics provides unexpected revelations and answers to the most perplexing criminal questions. A dedicated FBI agent, Don Eppes (Rob Morrow), couldn’t be more different from his younger brother, Charlie Eppes (David Krumholtz), a brilliant mathematician who, since he was little, yearned to impress his big brother. As a seasoned investigator, Don deals in hard facts and evidence, whereas Charlie, a math professor at a California university, functions in a world of mathematical probability and equations. Now, despite their disparate approaches to life, Don and Charlie are able to combine their areas of expertise and solve some killer cases.Numb3rs‘ intriguing and entertaining mix of prime-time crime action and mathematics gets its sophomore showcase in this impressive six-disc boxed set, which brings together the entire second season with a fun and informative array of extras. Season Two brings about a slight changing of the guard in the show’s cast: Gone is Sabrina Lloyd as Agent Terry Lake, and in her place are Diane Farr (Rescue Me) as Agent Megan Reeves and Dylan Bruno as Agent Colby Granger, both of whom assimilate quite smoothly into Numb3rs‘ blend of detective work and academics. Otherwise it’s business as usual with the Eppes boys, with big brother Don (Rob Morrow) leading his team against all manner of nefarious types, and genius younger sibling Charlie (David Krumholtz) finding answers in the web of mathematical equations he stores in his head. Highlights for the season include “All’s Fair,” which offers both the murder of a documentarian investigating Muslim women’s rights and a rekindled love affair for Charlie; “Mind Games,” which pits Charlie against a psychic (John Glover) who tracks down three missing women; and “Toxin,” which features a return guest appearance by Lou Diamond Phillips as Special Agent Ian Edgerton.
Extras include commentary on seven episodes by members of the cast and crew, including co-creator Nicolas Falacci; also interesting is “Crunching Numb3rs: Season Two,” which offers a half-hour look behind the scenes at the making of the episode “Rampage,” and David Krumholtz’s video diary, for which the actor brings the audience along for a day on the set. A blooper reel and gallery of stills shot by Falacci round out the supplemental features. — Paul Gaita
Buy “Numb3rs – The Complete Second Season” For Only $20.60
March 5, 2010
#1
The concept for this show is really outdated, based essentially on various ideas popularized in the 19th century. I did not find the 2 main characters to be beleivable, or likable. For me, this show is unwatchable.
March 5, 2010
#2
I really wanted to like NUMB3RS. Unfortunately, it’s nothing more than filler on Friday night on a network that never takes risks.
March 5, 2010
#3
I bought this DVD on the recommendation of the positive reviews which it gets here. Expecting some clever math and a good plot line, I was very disappointed. I give it one star because, to be fair, it certainly does have some clever math concepts. Sadly, the script writers focus all their attention on the math at the expense of the characters. Basically the story is about ‘cop guy’ and his supposedly nerdy brother ‘math guy’. Together they solve crimes with the occassional help of ‘male African American cop sidekick’, ‘female blonde cop sidekick’, a ‘physics guy’ and an occasional ‘female math sidekick’. These characters get to say things like: “I’m on it!” and “Are you all right?” Even the sub-plot is about the boys’ relationship with their father (the mother is dead). There is no strength given anywhere to any of the female or ethnic minority characters. No wonder the great Sabrina Lloyd left after the first season. Please sirs, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I would like to politely suggest that people who are not white men can a) occasionally offer an original idea and b)not be constantly worried that their colleagues are eating and sleeping enough. Unless you are a real math buff, select a different DVD.
March 5, 2010
#4
Entertaining, and far above the usual brain-dead pap that clogs the airwaves. Nitpicks:
* Number of times the math rises above high-school level: 0
* Number of times suspects are told of their Miranda rights: 0
* Number of times a suspect says “I want a lawyer:” 1
* Number of times a lawyer is present during questioning: 1
* Number of times someone says “We should get a search warrant:” 1
* Number of search warrants actually obtained: 0
* Number of times Iraq war opponents are incorrectly characterized as mentally ill: 1
* Number of times math is incorrectly characterized as NOT being “sex by another name:” 1
March 5, 2010
#5
THIS IS ONE HELL OF A SHOW!!!!!HOPE CBS WANTS TO KEEP IT AROUND! WITHOUT CSI IN FRONT OF IT! THIS ISN’T A CSI PUT DOWN. CSI IS ONE OF MY FAVS. BUT WE NEED NEW STUFF IN YOUR POOR LIVES..LOL